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Movies / On DVD / The Pagemaster
The Pagemaster

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The Pagemaster (1994)

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Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:3

Rotten:12

Average Rating:4.6/10

Runtime: 76 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: To escape a raging thunderstorm, young Richard takes refuge in a library where he meets Mr. Dewey, a strange librarian. Dewey turns out to be The Pagemaster, a wizard who transports Richard into a... To escape a raging thunderstorm, young Richard takes refuge in a library where he meets Mr. Dewey, a strange librarian. Dewey turns out to be The Pagemaster, a wizard who transports Richard into a colorful cartoon world. There, Richard is guided by three large walking, talking books named Adventure, Fantasy, and Horror, who send the boy on journeys with classic literary characters, such as Long John Silver, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, and Captain Ahab. But despite the fun Richard is having in this fantasy world, he must also find the "Exit" sign -- his only means of escaping back to the real world. [More]

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Ed Begley, Mel Harris

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Ed Begley, Mel Harris

Director: Joe Johnston, Maurice Hunt

Director: Joe Johnston, Maurice Hunt
Composer: James Horner

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Pagemaster

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1 - 15 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Mediocre, really, this mixture of real actors and animation.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Built on a wispy premise better suited to the realm of TV, The Pagemaster plays like a slickly produced afternoon special.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
12/04/07
Brian Lowry
Brian Lowry
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film rests on its initial ingenuity and fails to develop the concept in interesting or surprising ways.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/04/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
08/11/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
10/08/04
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
11/04/03
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

A pallid film framed at the start and finish by live action and mostly composed of cheap-looking animation.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Caryn James
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you’re looking for a movie that may inspire your children to read, ignore this one and lay your money down for The Princess Bride or The NeverEnding Story.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
07/25/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
Apollo Guide

a nice starting point for an important conversation with your child about why so many cartoons think children are stupid.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
06/06/02
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

In this age of technology, a not-so-subtle plug for a classic method of mental stimulation comes as a pleasant surprise.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Alison Macor
Alison Macor
Austin Chronicle

The Pagemaster's problems can be easily traced back to the screenplay, which simply lacks anything remotely resembling wit.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

This clever, often engaging, and always fast-paced motion picture uses the visual medium to encourage its viewers to reach out with their imagination.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Plays too much like a TV cartoon.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Peter Stack
Peter Stack
San Francisco Chronicle

A splendidly original children's fantasy about the world of books.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Rita Kempley
Rita Kempley
Washington Post

A sad and dreary film.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 15 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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